Drivers get to grips with Wolverhampton roads overhaul

Work on the £1.6 million shake-up of the roads and routes began over the weekend, with the initial signs being that shoppers and motorists have coped without too many problems. But taxi drivers and traders have voiced concerns that the changes could hit their trade.

Taxi driver Barbar Singh is concerned about the loss of a number of taxi bays in Market Street, saying it could add to congestion problems as cabbies looked for somewhere to stop.

"There are too many taxis, and not enough bays," he said. "I'm not convinced by all this."

Fellow taxi driver Jonathan McKenzie said many of the new disabled bays that had been created were already being used by able-bodied members of the public and that a proportion should instead be used as taxi ranks.

"I think it would be better if they just made Market Street for buses and taxis only," he said.

The new road layout means that Princess Street is now closed to traffic, forcing motorists approaching the city from the north to go around the ring road to gain access to Market Street, Tower Street, Castle Street, Pipers Row and Queen Street.

Queen Street, which was closed to vehicles on Saturday, reopened yesterday, with the traffic flow reversed so vehicles can now only travel in the direction of Pipers Row.

A team of street marshals will be out and about again today and tomorrow offering advice to people confused by the changes. Signs have also been installed in Princes Square advising motorists of the diversions.

Few problems were reported when the new road layout opened yesterday, although many people said they would reserve judgement until they had more time to see how they were affected.

"There have been one or two cars driving in the wrong direction, as you would expect, but there have been no real problems," said one observer, who did not wish to be named.

"I think it's been quiet because it's a Sunday, but the real test will come in the week."

Jas Singh, who owns Premier Convenience Store on the junction of Queen Street and Pipers Row, said the roadworks had prevented him from taking deliveries on Saturday.

"I'm waiting to see how I'm going to be affected," he said. "It concerns me that some people are going to find it too far to walk all the way around."

He said he was also concerned about public safety, as the diversion appeared to be creating extra traffic in Pipers Row.

"There seem to be more cars going past now, and they're going too fast," he said. "We had an accident here last week, and I'm worried it's going to happen again.

"There need to be bays for people to park. You see cars and taxis parking on the yellow lines because there's nowhere else to stop."

Boota Basra, who runs News & Booze in Market Street, said there seemed to be a fall in visitors over the weekend.

"It's been a bit quiet," he said. "It's a matter of seeing what happens when everybody is back at work. I hope it picks up."

Jas Dhillon, owner of Home Kitchen in Princess Street said she would be reserving judgement.

"It didn't make much difference on Saturday, but I think that was because the football was on, and it is the end of the month and people have just been paid," she said.

"It seems to have been ok so far, I don't think there have been any problems.

"I just hope the council knows what it is doing. "

Cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Peter Bilson said the aim of the scheme was to increase the number of pedestrians in the city and boost trade and appearance.

"With a scheme of this scale it is inevitable that there will be a little bit of confusion to begin with, but once everything settles down it should not create any problems, and the long-term benefits will be for the good of the city," he added.